TWO pubs face closure after they were caught selling booze to a child on three occasions.

Both The Ship in Old Colwyn and The Bull in Abergele face having their licences revoked after they were caught selling alcohol to a 15-year-old girl as part of council test purchases.

The operation was carried out by Conwy County Council and North Wales Police in December and early January to combat youngsters drinking illegally.

Ten pubs were tested up to three times, once per night.

Shockingly, on the first visit nine out of the 10 pubs served the underage customer.

Five served on a second visit, and two premises sold alcohol to the youngster on all three occasions.

Dave Beesley of Conwy trading standards said underage drinking had to be taken seriously.

"Underage drinking is not only directly linked to anti-social behaviour, but also badly affects the health of those involved," he said.

"There is no positive side to youngsters drinking alcohol. Young people know this, but how can we expect them to take the message seriously when some professional licensees – people trusted to sell alcohol in a socially responsible manner – serve underage drinkers as a matter of course?

"Underage test purchasing , backed up where necessary by appropriate enforcement action, is the only way to deal with the small number of licensed premises which persistently break the law and refuse to act in a socially responsible manner."

Insp Essi Ahari of North Wales Police agreed: "Alcohol related anti-social behaviour is a major concern to residents of Colwyn Bay and Abergele.

"Our policing team has warned licensees to take action to stop underage drinking in their premises.

"It is very disappointing that many have failed to comply with the law. Of course we will continue to work closely with the industry for a healthy and vibrant night-time economy, but test purchase operations will continue and appropriate action will be taken to identify premises which flout the law."

Both The Ship and The Bull have been advised by trading standards that they now face the option of being prosecuted, or voluntarily closing for 48 hours between February 26-28.

They will also face a review of their licence, which could result in their licences being suspended or revoked, if they fail future tests.

Another two unnamed pubs that sold booze illegally on two occasions will also be subject to licence reviews.

The premises that sold on one occasion has received a letter of warning, noted on their file.

Morgan Austin runs The Ship in Old Colwyn and said the pub’s management had changed following the incident.

Licensee Lindsay Whilem who runs The Bull in Abergele, didn’t wish to comment.